Electric switch or circuit controller



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

A. BERNSTEIN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH 0R CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

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(No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 2.

A. BBRNSTEIN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH 0R CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

No. 284,715. Patented Sept. 11, 1883 w'fin/e 6566. Jme W260 7.

v I u zejjerrastezb a Q E 70025 'a/fiiwrrmey,

Fnuwbmo n hen WashingYon. \7. C.

If UNITED STATES lers, of which the following is aspecification.

I PATENT OFFICE.

ALEX. BERNSTEIN, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTRIC SWITCH on CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

SPECIFICATIONforming part of Letters Patent No. 284,715, dated September11, 1883.

(No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEX. BERNSTEIN, of Boston, in the county of Suffolkand State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improve ments inElectric Switches or Circuit Control- This invention relates to electricswitches, circuit controllers, or circuit changers. Its object is theconstruction of an electric-circuit controlling switch adaptedparticularly and especially for use in connection with in candescentelectric lamps, but which is suitable and equally applicable for usewith other systems of electric lighting, or, in fact, with electriccircuits of any description.

The especial form of circuitcontroller which I have devised and shallhereinafter describe has been designed, mainly, for the purpose ofpreventing or avoiding the arcs betweenthe two separated portions of thecircuit, which invariably occur when an electric circuit in which strongcurrents circulate is broken. These arcs are constituted under the sameconditions in which they are purposely produced in the so-calledelectric-arc lamps. The two ends of the circuit, which normally formaperfect contact with one another, are

ing aided therein by minute portions of. the

volatilized substance of the two contact-pieces, until the distancebetween the original two portions of the circuit is too large inproportion to the electro-motive force of the passing current. Vhen thisoccurs in an electric switch or circuit changer, the surfaces of the twocontact-pieces become slightly oxidized, and when the switch is againclosed theconnection is frequently found to be imperfect.

Experience has demonstrated that in order to avoid the formation of arcsas much as possible, and thus obviate these defects at their source, itis desirable to open the circuit in an extremely quick and promptmanner, as when so accomplished the air between the two contact-surfaceshas not time to be suiiiciently heated. I have also found that whenswitches or circuit-changers are employed with incandescent electriclamps another difficulty arises. In this and similar cases theseswitches must necessarily be handled by persons nnacquainted with theoperation of electric instruments, and instead of breaking the circuitentirely this operation is very imperfectly effected, a' defectivecontact being often made or retained when the circuit is supposed to becompletely broken. This is due to the action of the manipulator, whocontinues to hold the hands, with which such switches are generallyprovided, in a halfway position. Under such circumstances thecontact-pieces are liable to burn off, or in other ways to sustaindamage. In order to avoid these difficulties in operation, and at thesame time to prevent the formation of arcs, my invention consists,broadly, in a switch in which the circuit is broken by mechanical force,independent of the volition of the ope 'ator. This force is stored up bythe act of closing the circuit, and is expended or utilized in openingthe circuit. To speak more specifically, I use for this purpose a springwhich is compressed by the operation of closing the circuit, andwhich,when released, opens the circuit quickly, promptly, andeffectively, and by means of devices which are beyond the control of themanipulator.

I shall now proceed to describe the various details of this switch,reference being made to the drawings which accompany and illustrate thisspecification.

proved circuit-controller, showing the circuit open. Fig. 2 is a similarsectionaldrawing, showing the circuit closed. Fig; 3 represents a sideelevation, in which but one contact spring is used, the metal portion ofthe circuit-controller itself being employed as the oppositecontact'tace. Fig. 4 is a detail of one of the operating parts. Fig. 5represents a modification of Fig. 3, adapted, especially, for use incircuits tr. versed by electric currents of great strength or highintensity; and Fig. '6 is a detail of the same.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the apparatus is represented as being attached to anysuitable base, frame, or piece of non-conducting material, B. At-

tached to the opposite side of such insulated piece are two contactsprings or plates, a and b, and to these contact-springs thecircuitwires w and w are attached. 10" represents in Fig. 1 areturn-wire, and the wires w and at are supposed to loop into anysuitable apparatus by means of the binding-screws 1 and 2. 3 and at arethe main binding-screws or circuit terminals, by which the entire devicemay be connected with the main circuit. The switch. itself consists,mainly, of three piecestl1e two shafts or spindles w and D and thesocket or inclosing-case A, the said socket inclosing the operatingparts and containing suitable bearings, wherein the shafts are adaptedto slide. All these parts are made of metal, and thus adapted to conductelectricity. The inner end, d, of the spindle or shaft .10 is taperedoff, and adapted, when the said shaft is pushed in by means of thebutton 0, to slide and fit between the two contact springs or plates toand b, and in this position, as shown in Fig. 2, the circuit is closed.This shaft has two collars, c and z, and as the inner one, 0, is largerin diameter than the second one, the projection t of the large collarover the diameter of the small one, and the projection a" between thesmall collar 2 and the shaft :10, limit the sliding motionof the shaft,as will be hereinafter described. The inner side of the collar 0 pressesagainst the spiral spring j, which is inclosed in the chamber E of thecase A, between the base of the said chamber and the said inner side ofthe collar 0. This spiral spring is shown in Fig. 1. as being expanded,and thus with a slight but constant pressure holding the shaft away fromthe circuit-closing springs; but as represented in Fig. 2 it iscompressed or in tension by the forward positi on of the shaft. The.said shaft xis supported in place by the bearing of the circumferentialsurface of the larger collar 0 against the internal surface of thecasing-chamber E, and also by the bearing of its inner end in the holea, by which the base of the said chamberis perforated. The purpose ofthe other shaft, D, which crosses the shaft as at right angles, is tocontrol and regulate the motion of the said first shaft, :10. The shaftD slides in the chamber F, which crosses the chamber E also at rightangles. At one end of the chamberF the shaft D is supported in thebearing G, and at the other end a small hole is bored, through which thesmaller part of the said shaft slides. The same shaft, 1), at its lowerend, is formed with a shoulder, y, and from thence to the extreme end ismuch smaller in diameter, the small part 1 being surrounded by a spiralspring, k, which, like the spring f of the; other shaft, serves to pressthe shaft outwardly. The shaft at its upper end is provided with apress-button, P, and is, furthermore, perforated at its center with anoval hole, m. The specific construction of this shaft is clearly shownin'Fi .4, wherein D represents the main body of the spindle, provided atthe top by the button I, extending below into the smaller spindle g andpierced through its center by the oval holem.

This hole is large enough for the collar z to.

' of the spindle or shaft 00, which, when pushed in, tends to connectthese springs through its substance, is withdrawn from them by the resiliency or expansibility of the spiral spring f. It is prevented,however, from moving any farther away from the contact-spri n gs or frombeing withdrawn any farther than is desired by ineans of the engagementof the flange or projection 77 of the large collar c,when forced outwardby the spiral spriugfiwith the edge of the oval hole on in thecross-shaft D, the spring f, when expanded, being still capable ofexerting a slight outward pressure on the said collar. The spiral springin the cross-chamber F,which acts upon the other shaft or spindle, D,is, however, at this time in a state of tension, pressing the said shaftupward, and thus maintaining the lower edge of hole m in contact withthe shoulder or projection of the collar 0. If, now, the circuit-springsa. and b are to be brought into contact, and the circuit is to bethereby closed, the button C must be pressed, and the force exerted bysuch pressure has several results: First, the small end d is thrustbetween the contactsprings a and b, electrically uniting them; second,the spiral spring f is compressed between the lower edge of the collar 0and the bottom of the chamber in which such collar works; third, thesmall collar 2 is pushed out of the oval hole m of the othercross-shaft, D, its place beingtaken by the much smaller shank of theshaft This relieves the pressure of the shoulder 7 of the cross-shaft Dupon the spiral spring 7;, and by virtue of the resiliency of saidspring the shaft D is forced upward, allowing the lower surface of thehole at to engage with the shoulder z" of the small collar z of theshaft :0, the entire result of the complex operation being to close thecircuit between the contact-springs,to compress the spiral spring 1, andthus store up energy, and the establishment of an engagement between theshoulder t" of the collar .2 and the.

lower edge of the hole m through the crossshaft c,whereby the spiralspringf is prevented from immediately expanding, and thus again openingthe circuit before such opening is desired. This condition is clearlyshown in Fig. 2, wherein the spring f is shown as compressed and asbeing retained in a compressed condition by the contact of the loweredge of the hole at with the shoulder l of the collar z. It is perfectlyevident that the circuit cannot now be broken between the contactsprings or plates a and 1) unless the engagement between ITO.

the small collar 2 and the lower edge of the hole on be firstdisestablished, permitting the spiral spring f, by virtue of itsresiliency, to throw the shaft an outwardly, thus withdrawing the smallend (I from the said contact-spring. Let it now be supposed that thecircuit is to be again opened or changed. All that is requisite is toexert a pressure upon the button P of the shaft D, and thus to compressthe spring k. This brings the lower edge of the hole on below theshoulder i of the small collar 2, permittingthe said collar to pass intothe said hole under the expanding influence of the spring f, of coursecontemporaneously withdrawing the small end (1 of the shaft 00 from thecontact-springs and opening the circuit. This backward motion isaccomplished in a very quick, positive, and efficient manner un (ler theinfluence of the expansion of the spiral springf, and terminates aspositively as soon as the shaft comes into the position shown in Fig. 1.It is therefore obvious that the object for which I have invented thisswitch or circuitcontroller is fully accomplished. The breaking of thecircuit is done with the utmost rapidity, and the operation itself oncestarted is not in any manner controlled by the will or by the hesitationof the manipulator, so that partial and objectionable contacts areentirely avoided.

I may of course, if I so desire, instead of using two contact-springs, aand I), employ but one, a, utilizing the metal part of the shaft m andthe contiguous parts thereof as the complementary electrode of thecircuit, the small end (I of the said shaft 00 being in this caseadapted to come into contact with the single contact spring or plate a,as shown in Fig. 3. In this case one of the wires, 10, is fastened toany suitable portion of the bodyof the instru-- ment by a suitablescrew, 8, or in any other well-understood manner. Fig. 3 also representsthe appearance of the entireinstrument. Although the modificationthusdescribed is perfectly adapted for use in connection with currents oflow tension, such as those employed in incandescent electric lighting,and although such use is perfectly safe and innocuous in such aconnection,it is possible that when used in connection with wires orcircuits conveying high tension or abnormally-strong cur.- rents, ashock might be given to the manipulator. To prevent any such contingencyI provide a button or knob, R, of suitable non-conducting material, andaffix the same perma nently to the metal buttons or handles 0 and P, asshown in Fig. 5.

It will be seen that since all that is requisite. in order to close thecircuit is a pressure upon the button 0, and since, furthermore, allthat is requisite in order to open the circuit is a similar pressureupon the other button, P, the entire circuit controlling device is notonly simple in its construction, but the method of operation is welladapted to be put into the hands of inexperienced persons for use.

Although I have shown and described my invention as applied toestablishing and breakcontact plates or springs, a conducting shaft orspindle provided with a retracting-spring acting to withdraw the saidshaft from the said contact-springs, means for bringing the said shaftinto contact with the said contactsprings and for compressing the saidretracting-spring, a device for maintaining the said contact against theexpansive force of the said retracting-spring, and other means forreleas ing the said shaft from said maintaining devices, whereby thecompressed spring may be permitted to exert its expansive force uponsaid shaft, and forcibly and rapidly withdraw the same from thecontact-springs, for the purposes specified.

2. A circuitcontrolling switch consisting, substantially as hereinbeforedescribed, of one or more contact plates or springs, a conducting shaftor spindle provided with a retracting-spring acting to withdraw the saidshaft from the said contact-springs, means for bring ing the said shaftinto contact with the said contact spring or springs and forsimultaneously compressing the said retracting-spring, and other meansfor maintaining the said contact against the expansive force'of the saidretracting-spring.

3. In a device for breaking or closing .electric circuits, thecombination of the containing-socket, a circuit-controlling shaftsliding therein, a spring adapted to exert an outward pressure on thesaid shaft, suitable means, as

indicated, for limiting the range of outward movement of said shaft, anextension-shank and press-button attached thereto, whereby the saidshaft may be manipulated and advanced inwardly against the outwardpressure of the spring, and an abutment adapted, when the shaft ispushed in, to compress the said spring and increase the said outwardpressure, other devices for locking the said shaft in position when soadvanced, and means, substantially as described, for unlocking the saidshaft, and for permitting it to be acted upon by the compressed springand positively forced outwardly, for the purposes specified.

4. The combination, with an electric circuit, of a controller therefor,consisting of a metal shaft or spindle adapted to complete or interruptthe said circuit by making or breaking contact with contact springs orplates attached thereto, the said shaft being provided with aretracting-spring with shoulders or abutments, and with means forbringing it into contact with ing-spring of the locking-shaft, andwhereby the compression of the spring of the lockingshaft may be causedto release the spring of the former shaft and effect a sudden opening ofthe circuit, substantially as and for the purposes described.

5. In an electric switch or circuit controller, the combination of thecontaining socket or chamber, a locking-shaft centrally perforated witha hole or vslot, and provided with a retracting-spring and a button,whereby it may be forced inwardly against the expansive force of saidspring, and a circuit-controlling shaft arranged transversely to thelocking shaft and passing through the hole thereof, the saidcircuit-controlling shaft being provided with a retracting-springtherefor, adapted to exercise an outward pressure thereon, a buttonwhereby it may be forced inwardly, and two collars of differentdiameters, forming shouldeis, one of which is adapted to engage with theedge of the hole or slot of the lockingshaft when the button of thecircuit-controlling shaft is pressed inwardly, the other being adaptedto similarly engage the said edge of the said hole when thecircuit-controlling sh aft, influenced by its retracting-spring, reachesits extreme outward limit, substantially as hereinbefore described.

6. In an electric switch or circuit controller, the combination of thelocking shaft or spindle, having an oval hole or slot of suitable size,with a circuit-controlling shaft or'spindle passing through the saidhole in the lockingshaft, and having twoprojecting parts fixed thereon,one of which is adapted to slide in the saidhole, and both formingshoulders adapted to abut against the edge of the said hole, the saidtwo shafts being transversely disposed with reference to one another,both being provided with buttons, whereby they may be pushed inwardly,and with retractingsprings adapted to exert an outward pressure, wherebywhen the retracting-spring of the circuit-controlling shaft iscompressed by the pressure of the button the retractingspring of thelockingshaft is released, and when the retracting-spring of thelocking-shaft is compressed the retracting-spring of thecircuitcontrolling shaft is released, as described.

, 7. The combination of an electric circuit controller adapted to bemanually operated to close a'circuit, a locking-shaft for thecircuitcontroller, adapted to engage therewith and to maintain it inplace, a spring capable of ALEX. BERNSTEIN.

\Vitnesses:

FRED J. F. SCHWARTZ, GEO. \VILLIs PIERCE.

